VH1 Announces New, Returning Summer Shows

Published: May 16, 2012

There’s lots of new programing in store for those tuning in to VH1 this summer. The cable channel will be launching the Mob Wives spin-off, Mob Wives Chicago, as well as new shows like Big Ang, Hollywood Exes, Mama Drama, and Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta.

In addition, VH1 Storytellers, Pop Up Video, and Do Something Awards will be back for brand new seasons.

Here’s the press release from VH1 with all of the details and dates:

It’s a Scorcher This Summer on VH1 With All-New Series and Returning Favorites

“Big Ang,” “Mob Wives Chicago,” “Hollywood Exes,” And Much More

Catch Sneak Peeks and Exclusive Clips at VH1.com

NEW YORK, May 15, 2012 — VH1 is pumping up the heat this summer with all-new series, returning favorites and unforgettable musical performances. With the network’s premiere of the second installment of the Mob Wives franchise, “Mob Wives Chicago,” brand new performances on “VH1 Storytellers,” as well as fresh new programming including “Big Ang,” “Hollywood Exes,” “Mama Drama” and “Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta,” this summer is sure to be a sizzler on VH1.

Premieres:

“YO! MTV RAPS (VH1 ROCK DOC)” PREMIERES THURSDAY, JUNE 7 AT 10PM*

As music television’s first show completely dedicated to hip hop, “Yo! MTV Raps” became a groundbreaking phenomenon that brought the music and culture of the genre from the inner cities to the mainstream. Now, given the official “Rock Docs” treatment, VH1 will go in-depth with exclusive interviews and clips to tell the full story and examine the show’s music and cultural importance for the first time.

“MOB WIVES CHICAGO” PREMIERES SUNDAY, JUNE 10 AT 8PM*

“Mob Wives Chicago” follows the lives of five women allegedly connected to “The Outfit,” Chicago’s version of the Mob, as they bear the cross for the sins of their Mob-associated fathers. With lives that are right out of newspaper headlines, each woman has chosen her own way to live her life in the city that was once home to Al Capone, sometimes in spite of, and many times because of, who her father is. Along the way, these women battle their friends, families and each other as they try to do what’s best for themselves and their children. But ultimately, it is the ghost of their fathers they battle, living and dead, as they try to overcome and persevere in the face of these men’s notorious legacies.

VH1’s “LOVE & HIP-HOP: ATLANTA” PREMIERES MONDAY, JUNE 18 AT 8PM*

VH1’s new docu-soap, “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta,” is a tale of struggle, love, and temptation with a southern twist. Atlanta is the new frontier in entertainment, the Dirty South, where the opportunity to make it big in the rap game is always one hustle away. Competition is fierce in both the professional and personal arenas — they love hard but leave even harder. Among the main characters in this 10-episode series are Stevie J, a three-time Grammy Award-Winning producer who has worked with artists such as Diddy, Jay-Z and Mariah Carey, Stevie’s longtime girlfriend Mimi Faust, and a fiery up-and-coming Latina rapper named Joseline. There’s no shortage of drama with this strong-willed trio. Also featured are Lil Scrappy, best known for his 2006 smash hit, “Money in the Bank,” his girlfriend Erica Dixon, and his mother, a former hustler known as “Momma Dee.” The hometown hero, Atlanta rapper Rasheeda, is still searching for that big hit after years in the hip hop game, but she’s constantly at odds with her manager Kirk Frost – who also happens to be her husband. Rounding out the cast are the talented songbird K Michelle, and Trinidadian R&B singer Karlie Redd. They’re all chasing the dream in “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta.”

“HOLLYWOOD EXES” PREMIERES WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27 AT 9PM*

“Hollywood Exes” follows five women of an exclusive sorority: the ex wives of A-list celebrities. Nicole Murphy (ex of Eddie Murphy), Sheree Fletcher (ex of Will Smith), Jessica Canseco (ex of Jose Canseco), Andrea Kelly (ex of R. Kelly) and Mayte Garcia (ex of Prince), all lived fairytale lives, but of course, all the fame and fortune comes at a steep price. However, these women have decided to cut their ties in order to live a truly happier life. When they were married, the ladies were focused on their husbands’ careers, but now they’re in a brand new world where they can focus on themselves. They’re about to embark on the second chapter in their lives and show the world exactly what they’re made of.

“BIG ANG” PREMIERES SUNDAY, JULY 8 AT 8PM*

“Big Ang” will give viewers a glimpse into the life of one of reality TV’s most over-the-top and loveable characters. VH1 tags along as she hangs out with her family and friends, spends time at her increasingly popular Staten Island bar, The Drunken Monkey, and even hangs out with – ‘da wise guys.’ And yes, her longtime friends from the original “Mob Wives” series will visit from time to time as will her cuddly canine sidekick, Lil’ Louis.

“MAMA DRAMA” PREMIERES WEDNESDAY, JULY 18 AT 10PM*

VH1 is putting one of the most important human relationships under the microscope – the complex dynamics that develop between a mother and her young, adult daughter. This 10 episode docu-series will uncover five sets of over-the-top mothers/daughter pairs that will leave you wondering, “who is the ‘grown-up’ and who is the child?” They’ll put their relationships on the line as they figure out if being BFF’s really is the best for everyone or just a recipe for total disaster. Forced to live together, they will have no choice but to look at one another as well as in the mirror. Do they wish they had more traditional relationships? Or is this the only way to live? There will be no host to guide them, no therapist to heal them, just five sets of wildly different women trying to work out their issues under the same roof. Whether they’re bonding or just partying, they’re bound to learn something – whether they like it or not.

“MARLEY (VH1 ROCK DOCS)” PREMIERES SATURDAY, AUGUST 4

Made with the unprecedented support of the Marley family, “Marley” is the first film to tell the definitive life story of the musician, revolutionary, and legend, from his earliest days to his rise to international superstardom. Along with an incredible soundtrack, the film features rare footage, archival photos, and incredible performances and interviews with his family, friends, and bandmates – the people that knew him best. “Marley” is directed by Academy Award-winner Kevin Macdonald and produced by Steve Bing and Charles Steel, and executive produced by Bob’s son Ziggy Marley and Island Records founder Chris Blackwell. Overseeing for VH1 are Brad Abramson, Shelly Tatro and Jeff Olde.

Returning Series:

“VH1 STORYTELLERS” RETURNS MONDAY, MAY 21 AT 11PM*

This season of the critically-acclaimed original music franchise, “VH1 Storytellers,” will continue to deliver the intimate stories and live performances from some of the most popular and influential music artists of our time. Featured artists premiering this season will include the unmatched Jill Scott (Monday, May 21), multi-platinum selling artist Jason Mraz (Friday, June 1), Grammy-winning chanteuse Norah Jones (Friday, June 8) and roots rockers Grace Potter & the Nocturnals (Friday, June 15).

POP UP VIDEO: RETURNS MONDAY, AUGUST 6

Beloved VH1 franchise “Pop Up Video” returns this summer with new episodes featuring “bubbles” of priceless details and insights. The series will continue to integrate interactive elements including user polling and user-generated pop up content that will be reflected in the show. New popped music videos will also be available for viewing and sharing on VH1.com as they air on TV.

DO SOMETHING AWARDS: RETURNS TUESDAY, AUGUST 21 AT 9PM*

The Do Something Award is the premier national award for community service where nominees and winners represent the pivotal “do-ers” in their field, cause, or issue. Since 1996, DoSomething.org has honored the nation’s best young world-changers, 25 and under. Fans also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite celebrities who do great work and who inspire young people to do great work too. In addition to announcing the celebrity winners, one young “do-er” will be receiving a grand prize of $100,000 for their cause. This is the largest and most prestigious prize in the world for young people and social change. The 2012 Do Something Awards will presented at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica and will tape on Sunday, August 19th and premiere on Tuesday, August 21st, 2012 at 9PM ET/PT on VH1 where the winners will be announced. This year’s VH1 Do Something Awards are executive produced by Michael Dempsey for Dempsey Productions and Lee Rolontz for VH1. Nancy Lublin and Naomi Hirabayashi oversee the awards show for DoSomething.org.

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 99 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile and extensive video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.

What do you think? Are you looking forward to the return of these shows? Do any of the new ones look interesting?

Please ,please,please put VH1 soul back I have direct tv and I love the music they play on this channel. It’s a nice mixture of the old and up to date videos. Please put it back on TV. That centric channel is ok but it’s not better than this. If VH1 owns centric put the mob wives and all that reality stuff on their own channel. Leave VHS-1 soul strictly related to music whether it’s be that show Unsung or anything else related to music. Just put it back on Direct TV. Today is Memorial Day and I’m hearing and looking at a small sample of VH1 Soul when I can be here watching it for most of the day.when I was in New York I saw it for the whole day. Girl channel to watch. PUT IT BACK.i live in New Orleans and I need my music.C’MON IF YOU CAN GIVE ME A SAMPLE GIVE IT ALL